Austinites know it comes around every year, and the occasion is as big as its competitors — the pigs. The 65th Annual National Barrow Show begins competition Sept. 11 at the Mower County Fairgrounds, but entries open up early at 8 a.m. Sept. 10.

“We’re really excited about this year’s show,” said local NBS Committee Chair Joel Nelson in a press release. “Our numbers are growing across the board. We have about 1150 hogs coming in from all across the country.”

Nearly 230 college students from 28 schools and 16 different states will participate in the judging contest, along with 200 FFA and 4-H students. The Junior Show, which was started only a few years ago, has grown to nearly 300 entries. Top breeders from across the nation, top-quality hogs representing all the major breeds will be on hand.

Visitors can meet some of the breeders and competitors from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the community windsor pork chop dinner in the Plager Building. Tickets are $8. Swine events run every day from Sept. 11 through Sept. 14.